New to Black Powder.

dayman · April 6, 2013, 04:33 PM

I was at a gun show today looking for a GP100, and bought a TC Grey Hawk for $100 instead.
They're not for everyone, but I like SS guns, and at that price I was also able to order a walnut stock, and a set of Williams fire-sights and still come in under $200.
Now, I have wanted to start shooting BP for awhile now, but only passively so I haven't done a lot of research into what all I need to know.
I know I want to shoot/cast balls as apposed to sabots, but that's about it.

I think the best place to start is probably going to be a book, so I was wondering if you all had any recommendations on that front.

Beagle333 · April 6, 2013, 10:39 PM

I started with "The Complete Blackpowder Handbook, revised and expanded edition" by Sam Fadala and it really helped me a lot and gives lots of background info. That was sometime back in late 80's, so I'm sure it's way on up in editions by now.

Welcome to Black Powder and you sure saved a hunk o' change over that GP!

looking around for the newest one.... I see here that you can get the 5th edition on Kindle for only 15 bucks. Print versions of these things are usually pricey.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-B...owder+handbook
or Barnes and Noble has the Nook edition for $16.49
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...ala/1004774024

'Either one of them, and you can be reading up on BP tonight!

North East Redneck · April 6, 2013, 11:26 PM

I also started with and still refer to "The Complete Black Powder Handbook" by Sam Fadala. Great read.
Mine says-'DBI Black Powder Library' on the front cover. Its 288 pages and covers a ton of different info.
Library of Congress -#79-54268.
Great book. My copy was given to me by the shop owner when I bought my first repro revolver.

dayman · April 7, 2013, 05:12 AM

Cool, thanks. I have a kindle, so that works out well.
Most of the print books I found cost close to what the rifle did.

Doc Hoy · April 7, 2013, 05:46 AM

Welcome to the forum and to the way of life.

I am not an inline shooter but I do congratulate you on the deal you made.

Again....Welcome

Pahoo · April 7, 2013, 11:01 AM

You are in for a whole bunch of fun. You also made a great deal, on that TC Grey-Hawk as it is a good brush gun. I'm just jealous I didn't run into it. Be careful, for even though it has a SS finish, it will still rust out if you don't keep and eye on it. .....

I too recommend Sam Fadala's books. Lyman has current issue on one of his books. I happen to own about five of his books and when I run into a young student, I loan one of my books out. Don't forget to come back and ask as there a bunch of great guys in here, willing to be supportive. ....

Enjoy and;
Be Safe !!!

Boomer58cal · April 7, 2013, 03:40 PM

Be carefully or you'll catch the BP bug!

It's highly contagious. You may even spread it to your friends and family. Welcome to the brotherhood. I do recommend casting your own balls/bullets. It will save loads of cash in the long run and gives you some great satisfaction to boot.

Welcome Boomer

dayman · April 8, 2013, 06:04 PM

I was going to cast my own balls, but I found a guy locally who sells them @ $8/100, so I figure there's no rush.
The only thing I don't like about the gun so far is the plastic stock, but I have high hopes that the walnut stock I have on the way will improve it's looks. I'd also like to add a brass buttplate, fore-end cap, trigger guard, and patch box. But I'm holding off on any more decisions until I have everything together. I'm not sure how the brass and matte SS would look together.
Anyway, here's a picture.

Beagle333 · April 8, 2013, 06:15 PM

That looks like a lot of fun! And it looks like you have found a great price on balls too. You're well on the way to your great new addiction.

Pahoo · April 8, 2013, 06:19 PM

Hey dayman
Looks like you picked up one of the TC Peep sights with your deal. That little guy is worth at least $50.00. So, not only did you pick up a sweet deal, you got some icing on that cake. Nice work !!!

Enjoy and;
Be Safe !!!

David13 · April 8, 2013, 06:27 PM

I have found countless videos online about every aspect of it, with a real live person doing it.
Tho' I have had to, or was required to read at least a couple thousand books thru out my life.
Maybe that's why I now like the videos.
dc

Sure Shot Mc Gee · April 8, 2013, 07:08 PM

Unless it feels short stocked on your shoulder. I wouldn't change a thing. I think you should know up front Dayman. If and when you change out the stocks you may find the original Barrel Under Rib either too long or too short to compliment your wooden stock properly.

Quote:

I know I want to shoot/cast balls as apposed to sabots, but that's about it.

"Now that's a comment many here in this column like to hear."_

dayman · April 9, 2013, 04:35 AM

I'm hoping the stock should work. It's a stock from the "New Englander" which was identical, just blued with a wooden stock. I've read on a couple forums that it's a drop in fit (I believe the NE could actually be had with the composite stock that's on my GH). Worst case scenario I won the auction cheap, so I can re-sell the stock on ebay and probably break even.
I'd like to buy a blank and make one entirely on my own, but that seems more like a next winter project.

I have a week Vacation coming up, so all I need now is some powder, and caps and I should be good to go.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · April 9, 2013, 09:03 AM

Well that's good to hear you got this stock deal all pre-plan'ed out. I tried to do that exact thing to one of my rifles and at the time I didn't take the time to check things out. And what I wrote previously, actually happened to me. (Short rib by a couple inches) Anyway. Don't forget to pick up a can of Ballistol for barrel cleaning. Stuff works good even for a patch lube. By the way nice rifle.~~you did OK on its price too._

S/S

April 6, 2013, 04:33 PM	#1
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	New to Black Powder. I was at a gun show today looking for a GP100, and bought a TC Grey Hawk for $100 instead. They're not for everyone, but I like SS guns, and at that price I was also able to order a walnut stock, and a set of Williams fire-sights and still come in under $200. Now, I have wanted to start shooting BP for awhile now, but only passively so I haven't done a lot of research into what all I need to know. I know I want to shoot/cast balls as apposed to sabots, but that's about it. I think the best place to start is probably going to be a book, so I was wondering if you all had any recommendations on that front. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

April 6, 2013, 10:39 PM	#2
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	I started with "The Complete Blackpowder Handbook, revised and expanded edition" by Sam Fadala and it really helped me a lot and gives lots of background info. That was sometime back in late 80's, so I'm sure it's way on up in editions by now. Welcome to Black Powder and you sure saved a hunk o' change over that GP! looking around for the newest one.... I see here that you can get the 5th edition on Kindle for only 15 bucks. Print versions of these things are usually pricey. http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-B...owder+handbook or Barnes and Noble has the Nook edition for $16.49 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...ala/1004774024 'Either one of them, and you can be reading up on BP tonight! __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

April 6, 2013, 11:26 PM	#3
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	I also started with and still refer to "The Complete Black Powder Handbook" by Sam Fadala. Great read. Mine says-'DBI Black Powder Library' on the front cover. Its 288 pages and covers a ton of different info. Library of Congress -#79-54268. Great book. My copy was given to me by the shop owner when I bought my first repro revolver. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

April 7, 2013, 05:12 AM	#4
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	Cool, thanks. I have a kindle, so that works out well. Most of the print books I found cost close to what the rifle did. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

April 7, 2013, 05:46 AM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Dayman Welcome to the forum and to the way of life. I am not an inline shooter but I do congratulate you on the deal you made. Again....Welcome __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 7, 2013, 11:01 AM	#6
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Welcome aboard !! You are in for a whole bunch of fun. You also made a great deal, on that TC Grey-Hawk as it is a good brush gun. I'm just jealous I didn't run into it. Be careful, for even though it has a SS finish, it will still rust out if you don't keep and eye on it. ..... I too recommend Sam Fadala's books. Lyman has current issue on one of his books. I happen to own about five of his books and when I run into a young student, I loan one of my books out. Don't forget to come back and ask as there a bunch of great guys in here, willing to be supportive. .... Enjoy and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

April 7, 2013, 03:40 PM	#7
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	Be carefully or you'll catch the BP bug! It's highly contagious. You may even spread it to your friends and family. Welcome to the brotherhood. I do recommend casting your own balls/bullets. It will save loads of cash in the long run and gives you some great satisfaction to boot. Welcome Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

April 8, 2013, 06:04 PM	#8
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	balls I was going to cast my own balls, but I found a guy locally who sells them @ $8/100, so I figure there's no rush. The only thing I don't like about the gun so far is the plastic stock, but I have high hopes that the walnut stock I have on the way will improve it's looks. I'd also like to add a brass buttplate, fore-end cap, trigger guard, and patch box. But I'm holding off on any more decisions until I have everything together. I'm not sure how the brass and matte SS would look together. Anyway, here's a picture. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

April 8, 2013, 06:15 PM	#9
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	That looks like a lot of fun! And it looks like you have found a great price on balls too. You're well on the way to your great new addiction. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

April 8, 2013, 06:19 PM	#10
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Excellent !! Hey dayman Looks like you picked up one of the TC Peep sights with your deal. That little guy is worth at least $50.00. So, not only did you pick up a sweet deal, you got some icing on that cake. Nice work !!! Enjoy and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

April 8, 2013, 06:27 PM	#11
David13 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 243	I have found countless videos online about every aspect of it, with a real live person doing it. Tho' I have had to, or was required to read at least a couple thousand books thru out my life. Maybe that's why I now like the videos. dc

April 9, 2013, 04:35 AM	#13
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	I'm hoping the stock should work. It's a stock from the "New Englander" which was identical, just blued with a wooden stock. I've read on a couple forums that it's a drop in fit (I believe the NE could actually be had with the composite stock that's on my GH). Worst case scenario I won the auction cheap, so I can re-sell the stock on ebay and probably break even. I'd like to buy a blank and make one entirely on my own, but that seems more like a next winter project. I have a week Vacation coming up, so all I need now is some powder, and caps and I should be good to go. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

April 9, 2013, 09:03 AM	#14
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Well that's good to hear you got this stock deal all pre-plan'ed out. I tried to do that exact thing to one of my rifles and at the time I didn't take the time to check things out. And what I wrote previously, actually happened to me. (Short rib by a couple inches) Anyway. Don't forget to pick up a can of Ballistol for barrel cleaning. Stuff works good even for a patch lube. By the way nice rifle.~~you did OK on its price too._ S/S